Diversifying Hollywood About More Than the Academy Awards

by Brennon Marcano

I will join the chorus of voices who think it is a terrible shame that Ava Duvernay will not be up for an Academy Award for her work on Selma. It's equally concerning that not a single actor or actress of color will be eligible for awards in the four acting categories and that only men will be under consideration for Best Director. While it's terrible that Ms. Duvernay won't be able to make history this year, perhaps it's even worse that there are so few women and people of color for awards panels to even choose from.

This year's Academy Awards are set to be the least diverse in 17 years. It doesn't just stop at the Oscars, a lack of diversity plagues Hollywood even more broadly. Out of the vast amount of movies produced this year only a small number featured women directors and producers or lead actors and actresses of color. We should be able to name many more African American, Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander actors, directors, screenwriters, and producers who should have been up for consideration in addition to those who worked on Selma.

During a tearful acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez said, "This award is so much more than myself. It represents a culture that wants to see themselves as heroes." Her words resonated with many viewers that night because they were true. Women and people of color want and deserve to see their stories accurately represented in television and on the silver screen. They also deserve consideration for Hollywood's top honors for the quality of their contributions.

Read more.

Why ‘Jane The Virgin' Star Gina Rodriguez Says ‘Latinos Are Not Limited By Their Culture'

Source by Carolina Moreno 

Gina Rodriguez has won the hearts of critics and fans on CW’s “Jane The Virgin,” and the actress now wants to “give her blessings away.”

The Chicago-born star with Puerto Rican roots will be hosting a "NUVO Point of View: The Emerging Latino Filmmakers" on Thursday at 8 p.m. In an exclusive clip given to The Huffington Post, Rodriguez spoke about why she is honored to host the special, her views on playing a virgin on tv and more.

The NUVOtv 3-hour special will showcase the top Latino screenwriters, producers, and directors chosen from more than 200 submissions. On the topic of presenting Latino films to a nationwide audience, the star said it was especially important when the stories don’t concern Latino issues.

Read more.

Cristela: On Authenticity and So-Called Latino Trailblazers

Source by Nicholas Milanes

I am an American of Cuban descent, and I want you to know that I have fairly neat handwriting. Generally, I speak softly and without an accent. I have an appreciation for Latin music, from bachata to salsa, but I’ve also bonded with my girlfriend’s white Minnesotan father over Talking Heads. I think I’m supposed to be excited about this new ABC show, Cristela. It’s named after its lead actress/producer/writer, Cristela Alonzo, who is a comedian. Think—George Lopez, who you might recall also had a show on ABC once upon a time. Cristela’s title card is in one of those kinda-squiggly, crooked-lettered fonts; it reminds me of the burrito joint I went to now and then in college.

Their logo was squiggly and lopsided, too, as if to say, “We sell fun Mexican food.”
The letters in the title give the impression of movement, because Hispanics are vivacious and loud, ostensibly. Like Cristela Alonzo—who is, not coincidentally, loud and Mexican—or at least she is every time she shifts into a thick accent to deliver a punchline (both in her standup comedy and in the new show). Yes, it’s a Mexican stereotype. And as far as it being an overall Latin thing, well. I’m not sure.

The Dominicanos in my neighborhood (Washington Heights) can go either way. Cubans have a tendency to be loud, admittedly. For a couple of summers I worked as a landscaper at my old high school (do with that information what you will); I worked with a Venezuelan, a Puerto Rican, a Guatemalan, a Mexican, a Cuban, and on and on—the volumes were as well-mixed and varied as a Timbaland album. The Mexican fellow was a bit of a mumbler. At any rate, I don’t think I’ve actually met anyone like Cristela Alonzo.

Read more.

R.I.P Elizabeth Pena

Source by The Latin Post

 

"Modern Family" actress Elizabeth Pena has died at the age of 55 due to natural causes brought on by a brief illness, reported CNN.

 

The actress, who played Sofia Vergara's mother in the hit ABC sitcom had a prolific career that spanned over three-decade. Pena was part of an elite group of artists and her work included not only acting projects but also director roles as well. She is the fourth Latina to gain membership in the Director's Guild of America. 

 

Read MORE.